A Bike In The Park

January 1, 2000

Valley Forge NHP Now Offering Mountain Bike Rentals

VALLEY FORGE, Pa., - Remember the feeling of freedom you felt when
you first rode around the block by yourself? Or the joy you experienced
when you felt the exhilaration of making it to the top of a steep hill?

Now
when you visit Valley Forge National Historical Park you can experience
that same excitement without even hitching a bike to the back of your
car. For a more vigorous tour of the park, visitors can rent a bike and
explore the Park on their own.

Bike rentals are available from
the lower Welcome Center parking lot daily from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. and
Labor Day through the end of October on Saturdays and Sundays from 10
a.m. - 5 p.m. weather permitting. Two-hour rentals start at $15 for
adults, $12 for children, and $49 for families (2 adults and 2
children).

The bikes are "path" bikes. They have frames and
gears like a mountain bike with an upright seating position, a wide
comfortable saddle, a less aggressive tire set, and seat post
suspension. With 21 speeds they're well suited to the paved bike paths
at the Park. Two sizes of kid-friendly bikes are available, as well as
buggies that tow behind an adult bike for the little ones. Also
available is a Tag-a-long, a half bike that goes onto the back of an
adult bike, for children up to 80 pounds who just want to sit back and
enjoy the ride. Helmets are available for everyone and are included in
the rental price.

For those that just enjoy a leisurely walk,
there are 40-minute ranger-led walking tours that are free of charge and
depart twice daily, at 11:50 a.m. and at 1:50 p.m.